2003-10-16

Library innovation - Lessons from a Norwegian case study

In Norway, as in many other countries, cultural policies are undergoing deep change. Libraries, archives and museums used to be managed by different public bodies. From January 1, 2003 they are supervised by a single organisation. In the future, the three cultural sectors will be expected to coordinate and integrate their activities.

Gjerdrum is a small rural community, with about five thousand inhabitants, 20 miles north of Oslo. Its public library was one of the first institutions to act on the new policy. When the library was offered a site in a new Centre of Culture, we designed the new quarters as a combined library, museum and local archive.
The head of the library is an experienced project worker, with international experience as a change agent. The project was carried through and the redesigned library opened in 2002. But developing and realizing a new vision of what a local library could be, was not easy.
Building new projects at the grassroots level takes strategic planning, systematic network building, political vigilance and a great deal of hard work. The paper presents the main stages of the process, from vision to established fact, as a case study in innovation - and analyse the lessons learnt. Hopefully, other libraries can benefit from Norways experiences and conclusions.

Details: Download the file here